Video composition by dynamic linking

ABSTRACT

A computer receives one or more media content source locations. The computer determines two or more media content items associated with the one or more received media content source locations. The computer negotiates digital rights associated with the two or more media content items. The computer pre-fetches the two or more media content items from the one or more media content source locations. The computer determines at least one digital characteristic of a first media content item of the two or more media content items does not match at least one digital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or more media content items. The computer resamples the first media content item of the two or more media content items. The computer publishes a composition of the two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of streaming media,and more particularly to dynamically linking video from distributedsources.

Consumers are continually demanding increased flexibility in viewingstreaming and other forms of media. Streaming media is multimedia thatis constantly received by and presented to an end-user while beingdelivered by a provider. The term “streaming media” can apply to mediaother than video and audio such as live closed captioning, ticker tape,and real-time text, which are all considered “streaming text”. Whereastelevision viewing traditionally involved watching imagery received on abroadcast signal on a conventional television set, modern mediaexperiences allow media content to be provided via broadcast, cable,satellite, portable media (e.g., DVD) and other sources. Further, theInternet and other relatively high-bandwidth networks now allow mediacontent to be streamed or otherwise delivered to any number of devices(e.g., wireless phones, computers, tablets, etc.) that previously werenot typically used for viewing media content. Consumers are thereforeable to view media content on a wide variety of devices and in a widevariety of locations.

The advent of digital media and analog/digital conversion technologies,especially those that are usable on mass-market general-purpose personalcomputers, has vastly increased the concerns of copyright-dependentindividuals and organizations, especially within the music and movieindustries, because these individuals and organizations are partly orwholly dependent on the revenue generated from such works. DigitalRights Management (DRM) is a class of technologies that hardwaremanufacturers, publishers, copyright holders, and individuals use withthe intent to control the use of digital content and devices after sale.The intent of DRM is to control executing, viewing, copying, printingand altering of works or devices. DRM technologies attempt to givecontrol to the seller of digital content or devices after a consumerpurchase. For digital content this means preventing the consumer access,or denying the user the ability to copy the content or to convert thecontent to other formats.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for mediacontent composition from distributed sources is provided. The method mayinclude a computer processor receiving one or more media content sourcelocations. The computer processor determines two or more media contentitems associated with the one or more media content source locations.The computer processor negotiates digital rights associated with the twoor more media content items. The computer processor, responsive tonegotiating digital rights associated with the two or more media contentitems, pre-fetches the two or more media content items from the one ormore media content source locations. The computer processor determinesat least one digital characteristic of a first media content item thatdoes not match at least one digital characteristic of a second mediacontent item of the two or more media content items. The computerprocessor, responsive to determining at least one digital characteristicof a first media content item that does not match at least one digitalcharacteristic of a second media content item of the two or more mediacontent items, resamples the first media content item of the two or moremedia content items. The computer processor publishes a composition ofthe two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset withuniform digital characteristics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a video dataprocessing environment, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram depicting the interaction of operationalcomponents of a linked asset composer program on a server computerwithin the video data processing environment of FIG. 1, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of a linked assetcomposer program, on a server computer within the video data processingenvironment of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of components of the server computerwithin the video data processing environment of FIG. 1, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As current events evolve, the media coverage of the events may becontinuously updated. Companies in the media industry often investresources in recording, processing, and editing media content as anevent evolves. In addition, there is often a high cost associated withstoring video content (including backup and resiliency abilities). Manyorganizations also do periodic updates, recording content at a certainfrequency or based on events. There is a need for a systematic means ofrecording content once and replacing segments that become outdated overtime. Often, when video segments are linked, there is a lag between theplaying of one video to another. Even if there is no lag, the user isgenerally aware of a new video being played.

Embodiments of the present invention recognize that efficiency can begained by implementing a method of dynamically linking video segmentsfrom distributed sources by pre-fetching and resampling the videosegments to produce one video that plays seamlessly for a user.Implementation of embodiments of the invention may take a variety offorms, and exemplary implementation details are discussed subsequentlywith reference to the Figures.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a video dataprocessing environment, generally designated 100, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 provides only anillustration of one implementation and does not imply any limitationswith regard to the environments in which different embodiments may beimplemented. Many modifications to the depicted environment may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of theinvention as recited by the claims.

Video data processing environment 100 includes client computing device104 and server computer 108, interconnected over network 102. Network102 can be, for example, a telecommunications network, a local areanetwork (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, or acombination of the three, and can include wired, wireless, or fiberoptic connections. Network 102 may include one or more wired and/orwireless networks that are capable of receiving and transmitting data,voice, and/or video signals, including multimedia signals that includevoice, data, and video information.

Client computing device 104 may be a desktop computer, a laptopcomputer, a tablet computer, a specialized computer server, a smartphone, or any programmable electronic device capable of communicatingwith server computer 108 via network 102 and with various components anddevices within video data processing environment 100. Client computingdevice 104 may be a wearable computer. Wearable computers are miniatureelectronic devices that may be worn by the bearer under, with or on topof clothing, as well as in glasses, hats, or other accessories. Wearablecomputers are especially useful for applications that require morecomplex computational support than just hardware coded logics. Ingeneral, client computing device 104 represents any programmableelectronic device or combination of programmable electronic devicescapable of executing machine readable program instructions andcommunicating with other computing devices via a network, such asnetwork 102. Client computing device 104 includes user interface 106.

User interface 106 is a program that provides an interface between auser of client computing device 104 and server computer 108. A userinterface, such as user interface 106, refers to the information (suchas graphic, text, and sound) that a program presents to a user and thecontrol sequences the user employs to control the program. There aremany known types of user interfaces. In one embodiment, user interface106 is a graphical user interface. A graphical user interface (GUI) is atype of user interface that allows users to interact with electronicdevices, such as a computer keyboard and mouse, through graphical iconsand visual indicators, such as secondary notation, as opposed totext-based interfaces, typed command labels, or text navigation. Incomputing, GUIs were introduced in reaction to the perceived steeplearning curve of command-line interfaces which require commands to betyped on the keyboard. The actions in GUIs are often performed throughdirect manipulation of the graphical elements. User interface 106enables a user of client computing device 104 to communicate specificinformation to server computer 108 regarding media content items theuser wants to link together.

Server computer 108 may be a management server, a web server, or anyother electronic device or computing system capable of receiving andsending data. In other embodiments, server computer 108 may represent aserver computing system utilizing multiple computers as a server system,such as in a cloud computing environment. In another embodiment, servercomputer 108 may be a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a netbookcomputer, a personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, or any programmable electronicdevice capable of communicating with client computing device 104 vianetwork 102. In another embodiment, server computer 108 represents acomputing system utilizing clustered computers and components to act asa single pool of seamless resources. Server computer 108 includes linkedasset composer program 110 and database 112.

In an exemplary embodiment, linked asset composer program 110dynamically links media content items, for example video segments, fromdistributed sources such that the composition of the video segmentsappears as a single, seamless video to a viewer. In another embodiment,linked asset composer program 110 may dynamically link other mediacontent items, such as audio segments, from distributed sources. Audiosegments may include journalistic audio segments and recorded music.Distributed sources refers to different origins of the media contentitems, for example, linked asset composer program 110 may upload anexisting video or link to and download other videos, either locally oron a plurality of websites on the Internet. Linked asset composerprogram 110 receives a request from a user to link video segments fromvarious sources. The user defines the sources as well as the time indexand duration of the desired segment. Linked asset composer program 110receives the user's request and negotiates the rights and/or pricing viadigital rights management (DRM). Linked asset composer program 110pre-fetches and resamples the video segments such that the segments havethe same visual attributes, for example, dimensions, frame rate, andquality. Linked asset composer program 110 links the segments andpublishes the video. Linked asset composer program 110 is depicted anddescribed in further detail with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Database 112 resides on server computer 108. In another embodiment,database 112 may reside on client computing device 104, or elsewhere inthe environment. A database is an organized collection of data. Database112 can be implemented with any type of storage device capable ofstoring data that may be accessed and utilized by server computer 108,such as a database server, a hard disk drive, or a flash memory. Inother embodiments, database 112 can represent multiple storage deviceswithin server computer 108. Database 112 stores the fetched videosegments as well as the final, published video composition. Database 112may also store the links to the video segment sources in addition to theresampling information. Database 112 may also store the DRM history andassociated negotiations.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram depicting the interaction of operationalcomponents of linked asset composer program 110 on server computer 108within video data processing environment 100 of FIG. 1, providing linkedasset composer program 110 with the capability to dynamically link videosegments from distributed sources, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. Flow diagram 200 includes content location module210, DRM module 220, and linked asset composer module 230.

Content location module 210 includes content location database 212 andcontent locator 214. Content locator 214 allows linked asset composerprogram 110 to receive a request from a user to locate one or more mediacontent items, such as videos, video segments, audio recordings, oraudio segments, and locates the media content item. A video or audiolocation may be represented by a URL that may be found in third partycontent providers 216. A video or audio location may also be representedby an address on client computing device 104 or on server computer 108.Content location database 212 stores addresses of the content.

DRM module 220 includes DRM negotiator 224, DRM tracker 226, and DRMhistory database 228. DRM negotiator 224 is the computer systemcomponent that allows linked asset composer program 110 to receivecontent locations from content locator 214, and to contact DRM provider222 to negotiate the DRM governance, i.e., the usage rights and pricingof the requested content. DRM tracker 226 tracks the usage of thecontent in order to confirm that usage rights are current, and notifiesDRM negotiator 224 when negotiated usage rights are nearing expiration,allowing DRM negotiator 224 to re-negotiate rights, if needed, in atimely manner. DRM history database 228 stores the negotiations andtransactions between DRM negotiator 224 and DRM provider 222 for use inlater negotiations.

Linked asset composer module 230 includes pre-fetcher 232, resampler234, publisher 236, and linked asset database 238. Upon confirmationfrom DRM negotiator 224 that DRM governance is in place, pre-fetcher 232accesses content location database 212 to pre-fetch the requestedcontent, for example, video segments, for dynamic linking. Pre-fetchingmay include locating, downloading, and storing the content. Resampler234 resamples the pre-fetched content and edits each video such that allof the videos in the final, linked asset have the same visualcharacteristics. Resampler 234 enables the final, linked asset to appearas one, seamless video. Publisher 236 publishes the linked asset suchthat a user with proper authorization, such as user 240, may access thelinked asset for viewing. Linked asset database 238 stores the final,linked asset for future viewing or editing.

For example, a user wants to compose a video describing a current eventin the news. The user provides URLs for three video segments to linktogether. Each video segment is located at a different URL on theInternet. Content locator 214 receives the three URLs and stores them incontent location database 212. Content locator 214 also passes the threecontent locations to DRM negotiator 224. DRM negotiator 224 contacts DRMprovider 222 for each of the video segments associated with the threeURLs and negotiates usage rights and pricing. DRM negotiator 224 passesthe negotiated rights and pricing to DRM tracker 226. DRM tracker 226tracks the usage of the three video segments to confirm the usage iswithin the negotiated rights. As the term of the negotiated rights nearsan end, DRM tracker 226 contacts DRM negotiator 224 to initiate furthernegotiations. DRM tracker 226 also stores the record of the usage ofeach of the three videos and the associated negotiated rights.

Responsive to successful DRM negotiations, pre-fetcher 232 pre-fetchesthe three videos using the addresses stored in content location database212. Resampler 234 reviews a plurality of visual characteristicattributes of the three video segments. Attributes of video segment Aand video segment B, such as frame rate and quality, are the same, butthe frame rate and quality of video segment C are lower than those ofvideo segments A and B. Resampler 234 resamples video segments A and Bto reduce the frame rate and quality to equal the level of video C suchthat the frame rate and quality of all three video segments match.

Publisher 236 links the resampled video segments A, B and C, andpublishes the linked video as one video with uniform digitalcharacteristics. The publishing of the video may take many forms. Inthis example, publisher 236 posts a hyperlink to the video on a websiteof the user's choosing. Publisher 236 stores the final video in linkedasset database 238.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of linked assetcomposer program 110, on server computer 108 within video dataprocessing environment 100 of FIG. 1, for dynamically linking videosegments from distributed sources, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 3 refers to components of server computer108 as depicted in FIG. 1.

Linked asset composer program 110 receives content source location (step302). A user can compose a video by either uploading existing videos orby linking to videos by specifying a local address or a direct URL tothe video on the Internet. In addition, if the user does not want tolink the full video, then the user may specify the time index (i.e., theduration with which to offset the linked video) and the duration of thelinked video segment to be played. Linked asset composer program 110receives the source of the video and any associated time index andduration information from the user via user interface 106. Thisinformation may be stored in database 112. For example, linked assetcomposer program 110 receives the URL “newsonvid.com” with a time indexof 2 minutes and a duration of 30 seconds. In this example, the userwants to link the segment that starts at 2 minutes after the beginningof the video and continues for 30 seconds.

Linked asset composer program 110 negotiates access rights to thecontent via DRM (step 304). Linked asset composer program 110 parseseach video or video segment specified by the target URL or local addressto obtain the video and negotiates the access, or usage, rights. Linkedasset composer program 110 uses a known DRM system, for example OpenDRM,in which a license may be encoded in a digital data file that definesusage rules, or usage expressions, such as range of criteria, frequencyof access, expiration date, restriction of transfer to other devices,etc. As part of DRM negotiation, an agreement may be established on“initial” use of the video segments. For example, the initial agreementmay be for a certain number of views, or for a certain time period, orany combination of attributes specified in the usage rules. Thereafter,as the usage limit nears, the DRM process starts again using thehistorical data in context to negotiate for better rights. Access rightsinformation may be stored in database 112.

Linked asset composer program 110 determines whether the access rightsnegotiation is successful (decision block 306). If the access rightsnegotiation is not successful (“no” branch, decision block 306), thenthe content is not used, and linked asset composer program 110 returnsto step 302 to receive the next content source location. In oneembodiment, if the access rights negotiation is not successful, thenlinked asset composer program 110 may display an error message, via userinterface 106. If the access rights negotiation is successful (“yes”branch, decision block 306), then linked asset composer program 110negotiates pricing via DRM (step 308). DRM negotiations for pricing varyby content provider. For example, a content provider may create apricing structure based on a number of views of the video. In anotherexample, a content provider may create a pricing structure based on anelapsed period of time. In a further example, a content provider maycreate a pricing structure based on the type of content. Pricinginformation may be stored in database 112.

Linked asset composer program 110 determines whether the pricingnegotiation is successful (decision block 310). If the pricingnegotiation is not successful (“no” branch, decision block 310), thenthe content is not used, and linked asset composer program 110 returnsto step 302 to receive the next content source location. In oneembodiment, if the pricing negotiation is not successful, then linkedasset composer program 110 may display an error message, via userinterface 106. If the pricing negotiation is successful (“yes” branch,decision block 310), then linked asset composer program 110 determineswhether the user requests additional content (decision block 312). Viauser interface 106, linked asset composer program 110 queries the userto determine whether the user wants to add additional video segments. Ifthe user requests additional content (“yes” branch, decision block 312),then linked asset composer program 110 returns to step 302 to receivethe next content source location.

If the user does not request additional content (“no” branch, decisionblock 312), then linked asset composer program 110 pre-fetches content(step 314). Responsive to receiving the location of requested contentsources and DRM governance completion, linked asset composer program 110pre-fetches the requested content, such as video segments, from theassociated locations. In one embodiment, pre-fetching video segmentsincludes locating and downloading the video segments. In one embodiment,if a video is not found at the identified location, then linked assetcomposer program 110 may display an error message, via user interface106. Linked asset composer program 110 may store the pre-fetched videosegments in database 112.

Linked asset composer program 110 resamples the content (step 316).Linked asset composer program 110 performs a process of resampling onall successfully fetched videos or video segments. Resampling may beperformed using a known tool, for example, VirtualDub. The process ofresampling transforms the video segments to appear as one video withuniform digital characteristics once the segments are linked together.Videos from distributed source locations may not use the same codecs asthe user, or as each other. In addition, the videos may have differentattributes or characteristics, such as dimensions, frame rate, quality,audio frequency, etc. Resampling the segments runs them through a set ofcodecs to stabilize, resize, and smooth the transition from one segmentto another, ensuring that the desired characteristics match from onesegment to another. The resampling process may employ one or more codecsto decode, transform, and re-encode the video segments. As part of thetransformation, resampling does not modify the original content, butresampling may modify the representation of the content. For example,linked asset composer program 110 may perform the resampling by reducingeach video to the lowest common denominator of each of the attributes.

Linked asset composer program 110 publishes the linked video (step 318).Linked asset composer program 110 makes the video available for viewingby authorized users. For example, linked asset composer program 110 mayadd a hyperlink to the video on a website. The usage expressions,extracted during the DRM process, step 304, may be displayed at eitherthe beginning or the end of the linked video. Usage expressions are theprovider's rules for using the content, for example, the number of timesa video may be viewed for the negotiated price.

Linked asset composer program 110 determines whether a notification ofchanges to the content is received (decision block 320). Through thelife of the linked video, parties in the DRM ecosystem may be notifiedof any changes to the content for which rights have been negotiated. Iflinked asset composer program 110 determines that a notification ofchanges to content is not received (“no” branch, decision block 320),then the program ends. If linked asset composer program 110 determinesthat a notification of changes to content is received (“yes” branch,decision block 320), then the program determines whether to update thelinked video (decision block 322). In one embodiment, linked assetcomposer program 110 notifies the user that updated content isavailable, and the user makes a decision as to whether or not toinstruct the program to receive and resample the updated content. Inanother embodiment, linked asset composer program 110 determines whetheror not to link to the updated content automatically. For example, linkedasset composer program 110 may be capable of determining an error in avideo, and if so, linking to the updated content automatically. Inanother example, if the license negotiated through DRM includes anagreement that the content provider provides all content pertaining to aparticular subject or from a particular feed, then linked asset composerprogram 110 may automatically receive all updates with no userintervention. In another embodiment, linked asset composer program 110checks with the provider of each of the segments periodically, forexample, once a day, to determine whether updated content is available.

If linked asset composer program 110 determines not to update the linkedvideo (“no” branch, decision block 322), then the program ends. A usermay receive notification of updates to the content provided earlier, butthe user does not want to obtain the updates to the content because thecost outweighs the value. For example, if the change to the content isonly a change to the visual characteristics, and the original content isalready resampled to match other segments, then the cost of the updatedcontent may outweigh the value. If linked asset composer program 110determines to update the linked video (“yes” branch, decision block322), then the program returns to step 302 to receive the new contentsource location, and proceeds with the remaining steps to publish anupdated linked video. A user may receive notification of updates to thecontent provided earlier, and the user does want to obtain the updatesto the content because the value outweighs the cost. For example, ifthere is an error in the content of the original video, such as anincorrect name stated, the value to update the video may outweigh thecost.

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of components of server computer 108within video data processing environment 100 of FIG. 1, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciatedthat FIG. 4 provides only an illustration of one implementation and doesnot imply any limitations with regard to the environments in whichdifferent embodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to thedepicted environment may be made.

Server computer 108 includes communications fabric 402, which providescommunications between computer processor(s) 404, memory 406, persistentstorage 408, communications unit 410, and input/output (I/O)interface(s) 412. Communications fabric 402 can be implemented with anyarchitecture designed for passing data and/or control informationbetween processors (such as microprocessors, communications and networkprocessors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any otherhardware components within a system. For example, communications fabric402 can be implemented with one or more buses.

Memory 406 and persistent storage 408 are computer readable storagemedia. In this embodiment, memory 406 includes random access memory(RAM) 414 and cache memory 416. In general, memory 406 can include anysuitable volatile or non-volatile computer readable storage media.

Linked asset composer program 110 and database 112 are stored inpersistent storage 408 for execution and/or access by one or more of therespective computer processor(s) 404 via one or more memories of memory406. In this embodiment, persistent storage 408 includes a magnetic harddisk drive. Alternatively, or in addition to a magnetic hard disk drive,persistent storage 408 can include a solid-state hard drive, asemiconductor storage device, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, or any othercomputer readable storage media that is capable of storing programinstructions or digital information.

The media used by persistent storage 408 may also be removable. Forexample, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage 408.Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, andsmart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto anothercomputer readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage408.

Communications unit 410, in these examples, provides for communicationswith other data processing systems or devices, including resources ofclient computing device 104. In these examples, communications unit 410includes one or more network interface cards. Communications unit 410may provide communications through the use of either or both physicaland wireless communications links. Linked asset composer program 110 anddatabase 112 may be downloaded to persistent storage 408 throughcommunications unit 410.

I/O interface(s) 412 allows for input and output of data with otherdevices that may be connected to server computer 108. For example, I/Ointerface(s) 412 may provide a connection to external device(s) 418 suchas a keyboard, a keypad, a touch screen, a microphone, a digital camera,and/or some other suitable input device. External device(s) 418 can alsoinclude portable computer readable storage media such as, for example,thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards.Software and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention,e.g., linked asset composer program 110 and database 112, can be storedon such portable computer readable storage media and can be loaded ontopersistent storage 408 via I/O interface(s) 412. I/O interface(s) 412also connect to a display 420.

Display 420 provides a mechanism to display data to a user and may be,for example, a computer monitor.

The programs described herein are identified based upon the applicationfor which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of theinvention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular programnomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus theinvention should not be limited to use solely in any specificapplication identified and/or implied by such nomenclature.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be any tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, a segment, or aportion of instructions, which comprises one or more executableinstructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In somealternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occurout of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown insuccession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or theblocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending uponthe functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles ofthe embodiment, the practical application or technical improvement overtechnologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for media content composition fromdistributed sources, the method comprising the steps of: determining, byone or more computer processors, two or more media content itemsassociated with one or more media content source locations; determining,by one or more computer processors, at least one digital characteristicof a first media content item of the two or more media content itemsdoes not match at least one digital characteristic of a second mediacontent item of the two or more media content items, wherein thedetermining at least one of the two or more media content items furthercomprises the step of determining, by the one or more computerprocessors, a segment of the at least one of the two or more mediacontent items based on a received time index and duration; responsive todetermining at least one digital characteristic of a first media contentitem of the two or more media content items does not match at least onedigital characteristic of a second media content item of the two or moremedia content items, resampling, by the one or more computer processors,the first media content item of the two or more media content items,wherein the resampling the first media content of the two or more mediacontent items comprises resampling the first media content item to alowest common denominator of each of the at least one digitalcharacteristics; and publishing, by the one or more computer processors,a composition of the two or more media content items to appear as onelinked asset with uniform digital characteristics.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising receiving the one or more media contentsource locations, wherein the receiving further comprises the step ofreceiving, by the one or more computer processors, a time index andduration associated with at least one of the two or more media contentitems associated with the one or more content source locations.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein resampling the first media content item ofthe two or more media content items comprises the step of editing, bythe one or more computer processors, the first media content item suchthat the two or more media content items have uniform digitalcharacteristics.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein a media content itemincludes at least one of a video, a video segment, an audio recording,and an audio segment.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising thesteps of: responsive to publishing a composition of the two or moremedia content items to appear as one linked asset with uniform digitalcharacteristics, receiving, by the one or more computer processors, anotification that at least one of the two or more media content itemshas changed; and determining, by the one or more computer processors, toupdate the one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics withthe at least one changed media content item.
 6. The method of claim 1,further comprising negotiating digital rights associated with the two ormore media content items, wherein the negotiating the digital rightscomprises the steps of: negotiating, by the one or more computerprocessors, one or more rights to the two or more media content items;and negotiating, by the one or more computer processors, pricingassociated with the one or more rights to the two or more media contentitems.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising pre-fetching the twoor more media content items from the one or more media content sourcelocations, wherein the pre-fetching comprises the steps of: locating, bythe one or more computer processors, the two or more media content itemsfrom the one or more media content source locations; downloading, by theone or more computer processors, the two or more media content itemsfrom the one or more media content source locations; and storing, by theone or more computer processors, the two or more media content itemsfrom the one or more content source locations.
 8. A computer programproduct for media content composition from distributed sources, thecomputer program product comprising: one or more non-transitory computerreadable storage media and program instructions stored on the one ormore computer readable storage media, the program instructionscomprising: program instructions to determine two or more media contentitems associated with one or more received media content sourcelocations; program instructions to determine at least one digitalcharacteristic of a first media content item of the two or more mediacontent items does not match at least one digital characteristic of asecond media content item of the two or more media content items,wherein the determining at least one of the two or more media contentitems further comprises the step of determining, by the one or morecomputer processors, a segment of the at least one of the two or moremedia content items based on a received time index and duration;responsive to determining at least one digital characteristic of a firstmedia content item of the two or more media content items does not matchat least one digital characteristic of a second media content item ofthe two or more media content items, program instructions to resamplethe first media content item of the two or more media content items,wherein the resampling the first media content of the two or more mediacontent items comprises resampling the first media content item to alowest common denominator of each of the at least one digitalcharacteristics; and program instructions to publish a composition ofthe two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset withuniform digital characteristics.
 9. The computer program product ofclaim 8, further comprising program instructions to receive the one ormore media content source locations, wherein the program instruction toreceive the one or more media content source locations further comprisesprogram instructions to receive a time index and duration associatedwith at least one of the two or more media content items associated withthe one or more content source locations.
 10. The computer programproduct of claim 8, wherein program instructions to resample the firstmedia content item of the two or more media content items comprisesprogram instructions to edit the first media content item such that thetwo or more media content items have uniform digital characteristics.11. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein a media contentitem includes at least one of a video, a video segment, an audiorecording, and an audio segment.
 12. The computer program product ofclaim 8, further comprising: responsive to publishing a composition ofthe two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset withuniform digital characteristics, program instructions to receive anotification that at least one of the two or more media content itemshas changed; and program instructions to determine to update the onelinked asset with uniform digital characteristics with the at least onechanged media content item.
 13. The computer program product of claim 8,further comprising program instructions to negotiate digital rightsassociated with the two or more media content items, wherein the programinstructions to negotiate digital rights further comprises: programinstructions to negotiate one or more rights to the two or more mediacontent items; and program instructions to negotiate pricing associatedwith the one or more rights to the two or more media content items. 14.The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising programinstructions to pre-fetch the two or more media content items from theone or more media content source locations, wherein the programinstructions to pre-fetch the two or more media content items furthercomprises: program instructions to locate the two or more media contentitems from the one or more media content source locations; programinstructions to download the two or more media content items from theone or more media content source locations; and program instructions tostore the two or more media content items from the one or more contentsource locations.
 15. A computer system for media content compositionfrom distributed sources, the computer system comprising: one or morecomputer processors; one or more computer readable storage media;program instructions stored on the computer readable storage media forexecution by at least one of the one or more processors, the programinstructions comprising: program instructions to determine two or moremedia content items associated with one or more media content sourcelocations; program instructions to determine at least one digitalcharacteristic of a first media content item of the two or more mediacontent items does not match at least one digital characteristic of asecond media content item of the two or more media content items,wherein the determining at least one of the two or more media contentitems further comprises the step of determining, by the one or morecomputer processors, a segment of the at least one of the two or moremedia content items based on a received time index and duration;responsive to determining at least one digital characteristic of a firstmedia content item of the two or more media content items does not matchat least one digital characteristic of a second media content item ofthe two or more media content items, program instructions to resamplethe first media content item of the two or more media content items,wherein the resampling the first media content of the two or more mediacontent items comprises resampling the first media content item to alowest common denominator of each of the at least one digitalcharacteristics; and program instructions to publish a composition ofthe two or more media content items to appear as one linked asset withuniform digital characteristics.
 16. The computer system of claim 15,further comprising program instructions to receive the one or more mediacontent source locations, wherein the program instructions to receivethe one or more media content source locations further comprises programinstructions to receive a time index and duration associated with atleast one of the two or more media content items associated with the oneor more content source locations.
 17. The computer system of claim 15,wherein program instructions to resample the first media content item ofthe two or more media content items comprises program instructions toedit the first media content item such that the two or more mediacontent items have uniform digital characteristics.
 18. The computersystem of claim 15, wherein a media content item includes at least oneof a video, a video segment, an audio recording, and an audio segment.19. The computer system of claim 15, further comprising: responsive topublishing a composition of the two or more media content items toappear as one linked asset with uniform digital characteristics, programinstructions to receive a notification that at least one of the two ormore media content items has changed; and program instructions todetermine to update the one linked asset with uniform digitalcharacteristics with the at least one changed media content item. 20.The computer system of claim 15, further comprising program instructionsto pre-fetch the two or more media content items from the one or moremedia content source locations, wherein the program instructions topre-fetch the two or more media content items further comprises: programinstructions to locate the two or more media content items from the oneor more media content source locations; program instructions to downloadthe two or more media content items from the one or more media contentsource locations; and program instructions to store the two or moremedia content items from the one or more content source locations.